katie

Links & Likes

Fri, 25 May 2012 11:27:00 -0400

I’m gonna keep this one short and sweet. It’s Friday after all and although the day started off a bit dreary, I see the sun peeking through the fog and that’s a good thing for sure.

I’m not going to show you a fancy collage of images mostly because I’m lazy, but also because I wanted to post that little video about jeans.

I’ve got less planned this weekend than usual. After work I’m going to make some photos of tacos for a friend’s blog and then who knows!? I’ll go where the wind takes me. Have a great weekend!

Links
Stop Brainstorming

Ballerina by Banksy

Rhubarb Mojito

Matchbook Landscapes

Likes
Salty Rose’s identity by Sarah Burwash

The V pole

This rug

Chop chop

05.25.12

Fri, 25 May 2012 10:00:00 -0400

These shoes always brighten my day!

Shoes yellow no longer available / Jeans / iPhone Case / Hair Clip

It's in the bag

Thu, 24 May 2012 10:21:10 -0400

Err.. Baggu.

Last month I went through a little phase wherein I ordered way too many things online. I think my co-workers were getting a little worried with all of the boxes I had poping up at the office… Almost every day for a week! Yikes.

I’ve curbed my online indulgences since, but today when I saw a post from Grace on Design*Sponge about Baggu (a retailer I’ve had my eye on for a while) and these little leather keychain pouches, I had to get one ($16!!). While I was there I decided to go for this awesome olive green tote bag as well. I think it’ll come in handy on my trip to Toronto in a couple of weeks.

Where are you shopping online these days? Anywhere I should know about (or maybe not…)?

All images via Baggu

New little feature I’m going to try. My three favourite instagrams from the past week....

Thu, 24 May 2012 09:01:09 -0400

New little feature I’m going to try. My three favourite instagrams from the past week. It’s the little things, ‘ya know?
—
Follow me on instagram! I’m katie_t
Or you can go here to see my instagram feed on the web.

I’ve been meaning to post about these cupcakes for a while now. I made them for an event...

Wed, 23 May 2012 09:02:02 -0400

I’ve been meaning to post about these cupcakes for a while now. I made them for an event and I couldn’t resist the vanilla with vanilla simplicity of the recipe. That, and the genius use of parchment paper. The only alteration here is the mini as opposed to full size.

Luckily, my neighbour had some Mexican vanilla (super hard to find!), which I think is essential to this special treat. Overall they looked and tasted great. The cake was a bit dense but I’m a novice and I was told that I may have beat the batter too much. Lesson learned!

Here is an photographic ode to these lovely little specimens.

As you can tell, I was in love. The kitchen smelled like sugar for days afterwards. I’ll miss you sweet cupcakes!

of a / KIND

Tue, 22 May 2012 13:15:00 -0400

I’m really into the concept of this site, of a/KIND. In particular this gorgeous grey silk kimono wrap. I mean, honestly. So flow-y and undone, yet perfect… sigh.

As the website describes, it’s probably great for any and all dressy getups. However, the way it’s styled in the photo above by Jamie Beck is how I imagine it really singing. Here it’s the star of the show.

Kaelen Haworth (the designer) was raised in Toronto and graduated from Dalhousie University (Halifax connection!). She then went on to New York to attend Parsons and you can now buy her twelve-of-a-kind piece for just $250.*

I’m super jazzed about this site and I’ll be checking back to see what’s on deck in the future although this piece is tempting… very tempting.

*I realize that’s not exactly chump change, but how cool would it be to own something by her before she blows up and things cost thousands?!

PS: You can hear a chat that Grace Boney has with the two ladies who started of a KIND on her new podcast, After The Jump. Click here for links to listen!

YOLO

Tue, 22 May 2012 09:01:42 -0400

This sort of happened unexpectedly, but I love it. So much. It’s a great addition to my growing collection. I hadn’t really intended it to have much meaning, but after thinking about the imagery and my state of mind lately, it’s come to symbolize quite a few things: YOLO*, float on, rise above, feel good, dream big…

Oh, and these photos were taken on my phone (duh) using vscocam. I’m loving this app. It plays nicely with instagram - increasing the possibilities of in-camera(phone) photo editing. I’d say it’s better than camera+. The middle photo was also edited using diptic.

Tattoo & artwork by Shamus at MTL Tattoo during the Maritime Tattoo Festival.

Links & Likes

Fri, 18 May 2012 09:00:00 -0400

Week ending May 18

Lots of inspiring stuff on the internet, which is great, but I want to be one of those people who doesn’t really need inspiration and just does stuff. S’pose I’d have to get off my tush and stop watching so many tv shows to do that!

This weekend is a long one with a holiday on Monday! I’m hoping to go to a couple of parties, the tattoo festival, yoga, and whatever else that gets me out in the sunshine. See you next week!

Links
Criminal - Kawehi

The Camera Collection

This house

Likes
Richard Avedon clip of Lauren Hutton c.1973

Lady You Really Aren’t Crazy

Drawings By Irena Sophia

*Fig.1 is a print by Sarah Burwash. This print is available for purchase at Inkwell Boutique.

GPOYW

Wed, 16 May 2012 15:09:08 -0400

GPOYW

Muscle Memory

Mon, 14 May 2012 14:56:00 -0400

Getting my hands dirty is something I used to be really good at. In my family I’m known for making a huge mess doing even the simplest of tasks. Growing up, I’d leave a bread crumb trail of crafty destruction in my wake; crayon shavings, paint splotches, nail polish drippings…

Sitting at my desk for eight hours a day making interfaces or designing logos has driven me to try a few things that fall into the Get Your Hands Dirty category in my “spare” time. My most recent undertaking is an introductory course in throwing. Pottery. Breakable stuff. Not sure what I was thinking, but all of a sudden I’m obsessed with vessels. Simple shapes that hold things.

Here are some of my favorites. More (plus sources for these images) on my pinterest board.

Here is a video by apparatu that gives me hope.

I changed my hair!Ombré and cut by Michael at One Block...

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 09:13:38 -0400

I changed my hair!

Ombré and cut by Michael at One Block Barbershop

"There are a lot of people who are good at beginnings, but they’re not good at middles. It..."

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 13:43:13 -0400

“

There are a lot of people who are good at beginnings, but they’re not good at middles. It means that they like the beginning where there’s all of this idealization and romantic projections and the other person can be who they think they should be rather than who they are. And when they get to the middle phase where there’s more reality-based relationship, they kind of, um, run away from it… because it’s not as exciting.

[..] practically all of life is the middle.

”

- Shirley Glass, Ira Glass’s Mom on romantic relationships
TAL, Episode 1: New Beginnings

I could watch videos like this all day.via FPO

Mon, 19 Mar 2012 09:18:43 -0400

I could watch videos like this all day.

via FPO

Mia Nolting

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 09:00:47 -0400

Makes lists.

see more here.

"Always ask for more” - James Victore"

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 15:22:57 -0500

““Always ask for more” - James Victore”

-

James Victore Live at AIGA SF from Hillman Curtis on Vimeo.

Via Steve

Red, Pink, Fuchsia, White

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 10:18:00 -0500

Here's a thought:

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:31:09 -0500

I just heard the Jessica Hische Design Matters with Debbie Millman, and am now listening to the James Victore interview. In doing so, I couldn’t help but remark that both Victore and Hische talk about having mentors/bosses that really inspired them early in their careers.

I have to say that I’ve never really had that and wonder if I had, whether my career might have been different.* I’ve only worked under one creative director for a short time span who really put the right kind of fear in me. You know, the kind of fear that makes you want to do great work - or at least elevate your work and keep improving.

Four years into my career and I feel as though my growth as a designer has been stunted. I’m not really sure what to do about getting past this plateau.

So there’s that.

* I realize that It’s not up to someone else to make my career a success, but I daresay that neither James or Jessica would be in the same place today if they hadn’t had the mentorship experience they did.

Pre-Shrunk 2012 Favourites

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:58:00 -0500

Tonight is the opening of the Pre-Shrunk show at Argyle Fine Art (1559 Barrington St., 7pm). The premise is pretty cool:

…200 works to choose from by a large selection of artists working in a variety of mediums. All of the works measure 4”x5” and sell for $175.

Argyle Fine Art has released the entire collection online so that patrons can view early and scout out the pieces they’d like to buy.

Of course, I did a little bit of window shopping myself. You can see my picks below.

Maryanne Collins

Monkey’s Paw by Alex MacAskill

Anna Stowe

The Source by Jessica Winton

Links & Likes

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 09:00:06 -0500

1 ┆2 ┆3 ┆ 4 ┆5

Some other interesting things:

MTW’s amazing bowl cut by Riley Smith
border-radius.com
Boots on Spring Garden Road (If you are from Halifax and haven’t seen this blog yet, you’re missing out!)
Two amazing hair tutorials, one video.
Mondrian Sandwich
Weird thing of the week: Hidden Mothers

It’s been a long week. A long week full of learning in The School of Life. I feel like “Life Lessons” may be a defining thing for me this year. I’m thinking of devoting a separate post to that topic, so I’ll say no more.

On a lighter note, it’s Friday! Whee! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

PS: I’m trying a new thing to make these a bit more visual. I’ve seen lots of other lovely blogs do a little photo montage as part of the weekly wrap-up and I think it helps give the post some life. Hope you like!

Soia & Kyo is having a winter sale and I’m torn on...

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:47:22 -0500

Soia & Kyo is having a winter sale and I’m torn on which parka to get. I’m sold on the camel colour, but should I go short or long? I love the belt/fit of the shorter one, but the longer one could potentially be warmer.

Also, is anyone familiar with the sizing of this brand? Do their coats fit true to size?

I’d love your help! Reply to the post with “A” or “B” or let me know what you think on twitter (@katietower).

UPDATE: Based on my walk to work this morning in -13 degree temps, I chose option B. As much as I want to stay fashion forward, staying warm takes priority.